by Gráinne Connolly
Home carers in the Southern Trust area, also known officially as Domicillary Care workers, will be receiving a long awaited pay rise following a job evaluation carried out by trade union UNISON.
The post has been moved from a band 2 to a band 3.
The news has been welcomed by UNISON, Regional Organiser, Nuala Conlon:
"This will be a long awaited pay rise for all our homecare members who work for the Southern Trust.
"It is a major victory for low paid female workers in the health service and a complete recognition of the valued work they do for their clients, providing care to vulnerable people in our community.
"UNISON values all of our Domiciliary care workers for the important contribution they make to health and social care and this is an important acknowledgement of their skills and care for their clients. We will be meeting with the Southern Trust to discuss early implementation of the uplift."